Meaning in life is pivotal to overall well-being. Nevertheless, trends in the meaning in life among Chinese people remain unclear. To address this, the present study analyzed a large-scale representative sample dataset drawn from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS, 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2021 waves) and the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS, 2010 and 2014 waves). A hierarchical age-period-cohort (HAPC) model was employed to examine how meaning in life varies across age, period, and birth cohort dimensions. Our analyses reveal three key trends: First, meaning in life follows a U-shaped pattern with age, dipping to its lowest point in middle age (inflection point: 58.6 years). Second, period effects exhibit an N-shaped trajectory, characterized by an initial rise (2010—2012), a subsequent decline (2012—2017), and a final rebound (2017—2021). Third, birth cohort effects display significant oscillations, with the highest levels of meaning found in the 1937-1949 cohort and the lowest in the 1978—1984 cohort. By mapping the dynamic trajectory of meaning in life in three time dimensions (age, period, and birth cohort), this study provides a foundational understanding of how Chinese people’s existential perceptions have evolved, thereby offering a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay between macro-level societal transformation and micro-level shift in personal meaning.